Orcs & Half Orcs

Overview
Orcs are big, mean, and sometimes green. Clans can be found all over the world, with varying cultural values and attitudes. Some are steeped in tradtions of honour, while others simply crave blood and murder. The prevailing trait amongst them is love of battle, which tends to bring them into conflict with other races.

Regarded as a barbaric and primitive culture by most "civilized" races, they still managed to outwit and out maneuver their enemies. Though not a race of thinkers or scholars, they are exceptional military strategists and are able to work extremely effectively in large or small groups.

ORIGINS - Made for War
In the time of the Eldar, all manner of incredible advances in spell-tech allowed the race to evolve in many ways. Though commonly regarded as an advanced culture of knowledge and peace, they were also warriors that dominated the planet. Their sophisticated weaponry and magic allowed also included genetic modification.

When the events that lead to their destruction drove the survivors into hiding, a few military installations endured. In a new and hostile environment, these warriors used the tools they had at hand to adapt. But their methods to enhance the bodies were never meant for long term use.

The continuous use of their gene therapy led to a massive increase in size and strength, but at the cost of cognitive function and psychological damage. These groups slowly regressed into a primitive culture, barely held together thanks to military doctrines and discipline as their base.

CULTURE
They are constantly in a state of conflict, whether with each other or other races. Roaming warbands will form large hordes if a strong leader takes control, and have a culture based around raiding and pillaging. While some have displayed a sense of honour and a surprisingly sophisticated warrior's code, they primarily value physical strength.

Orcs idolized the God Beasts, and developed a shamanistic religion structure. A warband will usually have one or two God Beasts as their primary deities, emulating them in their colours and weapons.

While Orcs don't produce any agriculture, they are very good at hunting and foraging, with a very advanced knowledge of flora and fauna in the region they roam. Their weapons and armour seem primitive on the surface, but are surprisingly effective, with shamanistic and druidic runes etched in for additional protection. Orcs utilize the materials around them, and seldom leave anything to waste. Even the smallest bone can be used as a weapon.

The few warbands that actually trade with other races will have better weapons and armour, often disliking the food of other races except Dwarven ale. The most popular exports are animals, usually predators or magical beasts for their raw materials. Some even act as guides for travellers, and are surprisingly trustworthy since subterfuge is commonly viewed by Orcs as dishonourable. They will fight you and take you stuff, but they will let you know it's coming.

Half Brute and Half Something Else
Orcs tend to view other races as inferior when it comes to mates. However, somehow, someway, a child of half Orc parentage is born. The ones that are lucky to survive growing up in Orc society are treated as runts, viewed as weaker and unappealing. They have to work twice as hard as their pureblooded kin.

Half-Orcs adopted by other cultures vary in upbringing. Many races still view Orcs with disdain or fear, leading many to become isolated and cold. Even the ones that grow up in a warm home still have to fight their own instincts, unaware of their own strength.

The lucky ones that rise above all of that still have to work twice as hard to be accepted. People tend to forget how much they hate you when you're suddenly a hero, and suddenly remember when you make a mistake.

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Appearance
Orcs are pretty hard to miss, typically over 7 feet tall and a mountain of muscle. Both male and females have pronounced tusks protruding from the lower jaw, and have a greyish green to dark green skin. Often referred to as "green skins" Orcs actually come in shades of brown, grey blue, and orange, with red orcs being the rarest.

Half-Orcs share many physical traits from their Orc heritage, but often appear less brutish with pronounced tusks. Some Half-Orcs are quite tall, averaging at 6 to 7 feet, and are more lean and toned in comparison to full-blooded kin.